A final build of Gameloft’s Zombie Infection was on show in Paris last night. The game is due out on Monday (May 10th), and we got a little more time with it and how it’s improved from the early GDC build.
Based in Brazil, the game follows two characters as they unravel a mysterious out break that is, surprise surprise, turning the residents into zombies. Much like the Resident Evil series, especially both RE4 and RE5, the game is presented in a 3rd person over the shoulder viewpoint. Controls are the usual fare of left sided thumbstick for movement, and on the right an array of icons which includes contextual based action buttons, as well as a movement toggle which switches between move and aim. Switch into aim mode and the thumbstick lets you strafe, while dragging on screen aims your laser sighted weapon. Shooting is pretty accurate, allowing you to pin point individual limbs of enemies, from arms to heads. When enemies are weakened a finishing move becomes available, which is necessary for ensuring the zombie will not reanimate.
Once again Gameloft are pushing the system with impressive graphics. Blood and gore are the order of the day here, and it certainly hits the mark… this is no kids game! There are a variety of environments all with different zombies to despatch, including shopkeepers, construction workers wielding spades, scientists in labs, and even animals, such as a nasty looking zombiefied lion we encountered in a zoo.
A complex storyline is promised which is shown through in game engine cutscenes, unravelling where the infection started as well as more on our heroes origins. You play as both a female reporter and a special ops guy, each with slight difference in abilities, mainly in melée attacks. It’s unclear as to any online capabilities in the game, so expect a solo experience for the most part. Gameplay runs to around 4-5 hours, across 3 different difficulties. For replay ability a second mode is unlocked after completion of the main story mode. This survivor mode pits you up against wave after wave of zombies across multiple environments for high scores. A third unlockable character is also available for this mode only.
While there is no doubt that huge comparisons can be drawn between this game and Resident Evil 5, it’s still shaping up to be a serious survival shooter on the system, and perhaps a more complete package than the Resident Evil series has presented on the Appstore thus far.
Look out for our review of the game next week.
